Policies purchased in S.C. under Affordable Care Act will be honored this year, officials say

Jan. 26--Despite President Donald Trump's recent executive order, South Carolinians covered through the Affordable Care Act, or those who plan to sign up by next week's deadline, may not have to worry about their coverage this year.

Trump, it appears, is following through with his campaign promise to repeal and replace the 2010 health care law, but final details on an official replacement plan are still unclear.

His executive order penned last week following his inauguration, aims to "minimize the economic burden" of the ACA.

U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., said it's important to note Trump's executive order did not change the existing law and should not impact those who received coverage for 2017.

The order eases the regulatory burden on agencies and also delegates greater authority to state governments, he said.

The order states the administration's policy is to "seek the prompt repeal" of the law, but until a repeal, the order says it is "imperative for the executive branch to ensure that the law is being efficiently implemented," and "take all actions consistent with law to minimize the unwarranted economic and regulatory burdens."

Jim Ritchie, executive director of the South Carolina Alliance of Health Plans, said during this time of transition, policies purchased in South Carolina under the ACA will be honored.

"ACA open enrollment extends to the end of January and we are continuing to see new customers buying coverage," Ritchie said. "Presently, our members are not receiving many calls from their customers about the future of the ACA. We will communicate with the public about the plans for repealing and replacing the ACA as the path forward in Washington becomes more clear."

Around 20 million Americans are covered through the ACA, often referred to as "Obamacare," and, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, more than 200,000 South Carolinians are covered through the law.

South Carolina leaders support a 'replace and repeal' plan

Wilson, whose district covers Aiken County, joins several members of the majority in Washington that want in some form to repeal and replace the law.

"I am committed to repealing and replacing Obamacare simultaneously -- providing a smooth transition to affordable, accessible, high quality health care," Wilson said in a statement to the Aiken Standard.

"The facts are clear -- Obamacare has failed families in South Carolina and across the country. We've seen jobs destroyed, health care costs increased, and choices decreased with delay and denial of services. Republicans are eager to provide a better alternative which protects jobs."

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., announced Wednesday he has cosponsored a replacement plan for Obamacare, the Patient Freedom Act of 2017. The legislation, the senator said, "transfers power from Washington back to patients and the states."

"It ensures those with pre-existing conditions can get coverage. It empowers patients by making enrollment easy, encourages price transparency, and eliminates burdensome mandates," Graham said in a statement. "Obamacare has been a disaster and Americans deserve better. I look forward to repealing and replacing Obamacare. The Patient Freedom Act is a great start."

The proposal would remove the following federal mandates under Obamacare: the individual mandate, the employer mandate, Essential Health Benefits, actuarial value requirements and age band requirements, according to Graham's statement.

The statement said it would keep essential consumer protections, including guaranteed issue, guaranteed renewability, no annual or lifetime limits, dependent coverage through age 26, prohibition of pre-existing condition exclusions, and prohibition of discrimination based on health status.

Under the proposal, after an Obamacare repeal, states would be able to chose three options -- a state alternative, no federal assistance or keep Obamacare, which re-imposes all of Obamacare's mandates, exchange plans, and federal premium and cost-sharing subsidies, according to Graham's statement.

Democrats have continued to differ from their Republican colleagues and express their support for the ACA.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., was critical of the Patient Freedom Act, which was introduced by Sens. Bill Cassidy, of Louisiana, and Susan Collins of Maine.

Schumer said it would reduce care and drive up medical costs for consumers, The Associated Press reported.

"Ultimately, this proposal is an empty facade that would create chaos -- not care -- for millions of Americans," he said.

Meanwhile, Ritchie said the South Carolina Alliance of Health Plans and its members support "the movement from government-mandated bureaucratic requirements to market-driven coverage solutions for employers, individuals and families."

As officials work through reform, he says key principles for a stable, competitive market that delivers "real choice, high quality and affordability" include providing for continuous coverage.

He said the immediate repeal of federal support, such as cost-sharing reductions, could endanger coverage.

Ritchie added the market should also include delivering affordable coverage; protecting "hardworking taxpayers," including more consumer choice and more consumer control through solutions like tax credits and Health Savings Accounts; and giving states the flexibility to develop effective solutions that work best for residents.

Christina Cleveland is the county government reporter at the Aiken Standard.

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